Look, we've all been there. You're trying to log into a website and it just won't recognize your password. Or maybe a page looks completely broken with images missing everywhere. That's usually when someone tells you to clear cache and cookies Safari Mac. But what does that actually do? And more importantly - how exactly do you do it without messing up your browsing experience? I remember last month I wasted a solid hour trying to submit a payment online before realizing my cached cookies were blocking the checkout process. Super frustrating.
This guide will walk you through everything about clearing cache and cookies in Safari on Mac. Not just the basic steps, but the stuff most articles don't tell you - like why you might NOT want to do it, what exactly gets deleted, and how to handle common issues afterward. I'll even throw in some Terminal commands for power users.
Why Would You Need to Clear Safari Cache and Cookies?
Let's start simple. Your cache is like Safari's short-term memory. It stores images, scripts, and other website parts so pages load faster next time. Cookies are those tiny trackers that remember your logins, preferences, and shopping carts. Both are useful until they aren't. Here's when you'd want to wipe them:
- Website loading issues: When pages look broken or styles don't load properly
- Login problems: When sites keep saying your password is wrong (even when it's not)
- Privacy concerns: When you don't want sites tracking your activity
- Safari running slow: When your browser feels sluggish and bloated
- Testing website changes: If you're a developer seeing outdated content
Honestly, I clear cookies more often than I'd like because I manage multiple client accounts. Last week I had to clear cache and cookies Safari Mac three times while switching between different Google Workspace accounts. Annoying but necessary.
What Actually Happens When You Clear Cookies and Cache
This is important because people get surprised when they lose saved passwords. Here's what disappears:
| What Gets Cleared | What Stays Safe |
|---|---|
| Website login sessions (you'll need to sign in again) | Safari saved passwords (if stored in Keychain) |
| Site preferences (language settings, themes, etc.) | Browser bookmarks and reading list |
| Shopping cart contents on many sites | Autofill information (addresses, credit cards) |
| Cached images and files (temporary storage) | Extensions and their data |
| Tracking cookies from advertisers | Your browsing history (unless you delete that too) |
Pro tip: Before clearing everything, try a hard refresh first. Press Command + Option + R while on the problematic site. This forces Safari to reload everything from scratch without clearing all your data. Works about 60% of the time for me.
Step-by-Step: How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Safari on Mac
I'll show you three methods with screenshots. Choose what works for you.
Method 1: The Standard Way (Safari Settings)
This is the easiest approach for most people:
- Open Safari (make sure it's active)
- In the menu bar, click Safari > Settings (or Preferences)
- Go to the Privacy tab
- Click Manage Website Data
- Now you have choices:
- To remove everything: Click Remove All
- To remove specific sites: Search and select sites, then click Remove
- Confirm with Remove Now
- Close the settings window
Sometimes I wish Apple would put this in a more obvious place. Why bury it behind three clicks?
Method 2: Via Develop Menu (For Power Users)
If you need to do this often, enable the Develop menu:
- Open Safari > Settings > Advanced
- Check Show Develop menu in menu bar
- Now click Develop in menu bar
- Select Empty Caches
- For cookies: Still need to use Method 1
This clears just the cache, not cookies. Handy when you don't want to lose logins but need fresh site files.
Method 3: Terminal Command (Instant Cache Clear)
For techies who love command line. Open Terminal and type:
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari
Hit Enter. This wipes Safari's cache folder instantly. Doesn't touch cookies though. I use this when Safari becomes unresponsive.
Warning: Be extremely careful with Terminal commands. Typing errors can delete wrong files. Always backup before trying.
What to Expect After Clearing Cache and Cookies
First time I did this, I panicked because all my sites logged me out. Totally normal. Here's what typically happens:
- Sites will load slightly slower at first (cache rebuilding)
- You'll need to login to all websites again
- Some site preferences reset to defaults
- Shopping carts and unfinished forms may clear
- Safari might feel snappier after restart
Funny story - last year I cleared cookies before an online exam. The proctoring software didn't recognize my computer and made me redo the setup. Leave yourself extra time!
Common Problems After Clearing Cache and Cookies
Usually this process goes smoothly, but sometimes issues pop up:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Safari crashing after clearing data | Restart your Mac. If persists, reinstall Safari updates. |
| Keychain asking to approve every login | Go to Keychain Access > search Safari passwords > delete obsolete entries. |
| Two-factor authentication loops | Clear cookies again, then restart browser before logging in. |
| Website still showing old version | Force refresh with Cmd+Option+R. Check if using CDN. |
FAQs About Clearing Cache and Cookies in Safari on Mac
How often should I clear cache and cookies?
No set rule. I do it maybe every 3-4 months or when I notice problems. Clearing too often makes browsing slower because nothing's cached.
Will clearing cookies log me out of everything?
Yes, from all websites. But saved passwords in Keychain remain. You'll just need to re-authenticate.
Does clearing cache delete my browsing history?
No! History is separate. To clear history: Safari > Clear History. Cache/cookies won't touch this.
Can I clear cache without losing cookies?
Yes. Use the Develop menu method or Terminal command. Both leave cookies untouched.
Why can't I find the "Manage Website Data" button?
Make sure you're in Privacy tab of Safari Settings. If still missing, restart Safari first.
Will clearing cookies stop websites from tracking me?
Temporarily yes. But new cookies get created when you revisit sites. For real privacy, use Private Browsing mode.
Alternative Approach: Selective Cookie Management
Instead of nuclear option, manage cookies selectively:
- Block all cookies: Safari Settings > Privacy > Block all cookies (breaks many sites)
- Remove per-site data: Safari Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data > search and remove
- Auto-delete cookies: Extensions like CookieAutoDelete (requires third-party tool)
Personally I keep cookies blocked for sites I don't trust. The settings:
- Go to Safari Settings > Websites > Cookies and website data
- Change specific sites to "Deny"
Admittedly Safari's cookie management isn't as good as Chrome's. Apple makes it unnecessarily complicated.
Safari vs Other Browsers: Clearing Differences
| Browser | Cache Clear Steps | Cookie Clear Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Safari | Develop menu or Preferences | Privacy > Manage Website Data |
| Chrome | Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data | Same menu - check cookies option |
| Firefox | Options > Privacy & Security > Clear History | Same menu - select cookies |
When Clearing Cache and Cookies Doesn't Work
Sometimes the problem goes deeper. Before tearing your hair out:
- Test the website in Private Browsing window (
Shift+Command+N) - Check if other browsers show same issue
- Try flushing DNS cache in Terminal:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache - Reset Safari completely (Safari > Settings > Advanced > Reset)
- Update macOS and Safari (Apple menu > About This Mac > Software Update)
Last resort? Reinstall Safari. Surprisingly easy:
- Move Safari from Applications to Trash
- Download fresh copy from App Store
- Install and restart
Final Thoughts: Is Clearing Cache Worth It?
Clearing cache and cookies solves more problems than it creates. Just understand what you're losing. My routine:
- Clear cookies monthly for privacy
- Clear cache only when sites misbehave
- Use Private Browsing for sensitive tasks
- Keep backups of important site data
Remember that clear cache and cookies Safari Mac isn't magic. If websites keep breaking after clearing, the issue might be your internet, the site itself, or something else entirely. But 8 times out of 10, this simple fix gets things working again.
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